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2017 NJMTA Annual Conference

The Art and Joy of

Collaboration

November 18-19, 2017 at The Marion Buckelew Cullen Center

Westminster Choir College, 101 Walnut Lane, Princeton, NJ 08540

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The Marion Buckelew Cullen Center at

Westminster Choir College

Westminster Choir College of Rider University

101 Walnut Lane, Princeton, NJ 08540

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Dear

Colleagues,

On behalf of the NJMTA 2017 Conference Planning Committee, we are excited to extend

a personal invitation to all teachers and students to attend the 2017 NJMTA Annual

Conference on November 18-19 at the Westminster Choir College of Rider University in

Princeton, NJ.

The conference planning committee has once again worked hard to put together a

phenomenal program. There will be great lectures, workshops, presentations, master

classes, exhibitor showcases and excellent concerts presented by guest artists and our

winning students selected from various competitions. In addition, many music vendors

will be present to bring you discount deals to purchase music scores for your personal

usage and teaching needs.

We are also delighted to inform you that this year, the Conference Banquet will be held at

the historic Nassau Inn on Palmer Square in downtown Princeton. At the banquet, you

will be able to interact more deeply with the guest artists, presenters and your fellow

colleagues. This is a great opportunity that you certainly do not want to miss.

We hope you will take advantage of this once-in-a-year opportunity to attend the 2017

State Conference. We look forward to seeing you there!!

Sincerely,

Ting Ting Lien

President

Renae Block

President-Elect

Conference Chair

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Charles Abramovic Guest Artist

Charles Abramovic has won critical acclaim for his international performances as a soloist, chamber musician, and collaborator with leading instrumentalists and singers. He has performed a vast repertoire not only on the piano, but also the harpsichord and fortepiano. Mr. Abramovic made his solo orchestral debut at the age of four-teen with the Pittsburgh Symphony. Since then he has appeared as soloist with numerous orchestras, including the Baltimore Symphony, the Colorado Philharmonic, the Florida Philharmonic, and the Nebraska Chamber Orchestra. He has given solo recitals throughout the United States, France and Yugoslavia. He has also ap-peared at major international festivals in Berlin, Salzburg, Bermuda, Dubrovnik, Aspen and Vancouver.

Mr. Abramovic has performed often with such stellar artists as Midori, Sarah Chang, Robert McDuffie, Viktoria Mullova, Kim Kashkashian, Mimi Stillman and Jeffrey Khaner. His recording of the solo piano works of Delius for DTR recordings has been widely praised. He has recorded for EMI Classics with violinist Sarah Chang, and Avie Recordings with Philadelphia Orchestra principal flutist Jeffrey Khaner. Actively involved with contempo-rary music, he has also recorded works of Milton Babbitt, Joseph Schwantner, Gunther Schuller and others for Albany Records, CRI, Bridge, and Naxos. Mr. Abramovic is a Professor of Keyboard Studies at Temple Univer-sity’s Boyer College of Music in Philadelphia where he has taught since 1988. He is an active part of the musical life of Philadelphia, performing with numerous organizations in the city. He is a core member of the Dolce Suono Ensemble, and performs often with Network for New Music and Orchestra 2001. In 1997 he received the Career Development Grant from the Philadelphia Musical Fund Society, and in 2003 received the Creative Achievement Award from Temple University. He is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, the Peabody Conservatory, and received his doctorate from Temple University. His teachers have included Natalie Phillips, Eleanor Sokol-off, Leon Fleisher, and Harvey Wedeen.

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Saturday

1:15-3:15 PM

Hillman Hall

“TANGO!” Lecture Recital

This Argentine dance has inspired composers throughout the world. In this lecture recital,

Charles Abramovic will explore a wide range of tango-inspired works for solo piano.

Composers such as Albeniz and Nazareth have written more traditional examples of the style

and certainly the work of Piazzola has been instrumental in advancing the popularity of the

dance in concert settings. Igor Stravinsky and Erwin Schulhof wrote short tangos for solo

pianos that are quite attractive and would be good additions to a student pianist’s repertoire.

Maurice Wright (my colleague at Temple University) wrote a fascinating Tango that calls for

the pianist use a bass drum from a drum set to add rhythm flair.

The remarkable work of Yvar Mikhashoff will be discussed. This pianist commissioned over

100 tangos from contemporary composers between 1983 and 1991. The pieces demonstrate a

diverse array of styles and form and create a wonderful overview of composers who were

actively writing at that time. Some works to be played and discussed will include “Perpetual

Tango” by John Cage, “It Takes Twelve to Tango” by Milton Babbitt, and “The Dead Moth

Tango” by William Bolcom. Two European approaches to this commission are shown in

works by Betsy Jolas and Milko Kelemen.

These works form a wonderful addition to repertoire for piano students and teachers, serving

as a fine introduction to the stylistic diversity of contemporary music.

Sunday

9:15-11:15 AM

Bristol Chapel

ADVANCED PIANO MASTER CLASS

Program to be posted at NJMTA.COM following the November auditions

Sunday

1:00-2:00 PM

Playhouse

CHAMBER MUSIC COACHING

TBA pending applications. Program to be posted at NJMTA.COM.

Sunday

2:15 PM

Hillman Hall

CHAMBER MUSIC PERFORMANCE WITH STRING TRIO

Mr. Abramovic will perform a short recital with our 3 string guest artists.

This program will be immediately followed by the first Young Musicians Competition

Winners’ Recital without delay.

Charles Abramovic

Guest Artist Events

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Marvin Blickenstaff is known among piano teachers throughout the country for his teaching, lecturing,

performing, and publishing. For sixteen summers he was on the faculty of the International Workshops

where he performed and lectured in Canada, Austria, Scotland, Norway, France, and Switzerland. In

1995 and again in 2004, The Registered Piano Teachers of New Zealand sponsored him in concert and

workshop tours of that country. The “Marvin Blickenstaff Endowment Fund” was established in his

honor by the Music Teachers National Association Foundation, and he was named “Teacher of the Year”

by the Indiana MTA. In 2007 the on-line journal Piano Pedagogy Forum published tributes to Blicken-

staff honoring his contribution to piano teaching in America. Also in 2007 he was named Fellow of the

Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. He was honored in 2009 with MTNA’s highest honor, the

MTNA Achievement Award and was selected in 2013 by the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy

for its Lifetime Achievement Award. Formerly head of the piano departments at the University of North

Carolina/Chapel Hill and Goshen College (IN), he has taught on the faculties of the Westminster Choir

College and The College of New Jersey. Currently he maintains a private studio in the Philadelphia area

and teaches at The New School for Music Study in Princeton. Blickenstaff is former Board President of

the Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy and is on the Executive Planning Committee of the Na-

tional Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy.

Marvin

Blickenstaff Guest Artist

Saturday

9:15-10:45 AM

Hillman Hall

INTERMEDIATE PIANO MASTERCLASS

Application for performance is open to teachers with any well-prepared intermediate

level student who could respond positively in a master class setting. If you wish to

submit your student for selection, please adhere to the guidelines on

www.njmta.com/IMC

Saturday

4:00-4:50 PM

Room 15

THE ROYAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC CERTIFICATE PROGRAM DE-MYSTIFIED

Presenters: Janet Lopinski with Marvin Blickenstaff

Discover how The Royal Conservatory Certificate Program can enhance your students'

musical development, including a demonstration exam with discussion of evaluation

criteria, examination procedures, and tips for student success.

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The Lyra Ensemble Flute Day Guest Artists

The Lyra Ensemble, now in its third season, is dedicated to performing newly composed virtuoso works,

while interpreting standard repertoire with new vigor. The group, comprised of flutists Kristin

Bacchiocchi-Stewart, Ellen Fisher Deerberg, Anna Meyer, and Elivi Varga, make educational outreach as

important as their dynamic performances. During the 2016-2017 season, the ensemble performed concerts

and masterclasses throughout the East Coast, including at the Mid-Atlantic Flute Fair, New York Flute

Fair, Frostburg University, and the Flute Society of Greater Philadelphia Flute Fair. For more

information, please visit www.lyraensemble.com.

FLUTE DAY EVENTS INCLUDE:

Group Warm-up and Ensemble Reading

Ensemble Coaching with the Lyra Ensemble

Lyra Ensemble Performance

Middle School and HS Region Band Solo Master Class with The Lyra Ensemble

For complete details and applications, visit www.njmta.com/flute-day

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Chamber Trio Guest Artists

Anne Ku, violin A native of Taiwan, violinist Anne

Ku is an orchestral and chamber

musician, as well as an established

teacher in the Princeton area. A

graduate of The Juilliard School,

she currently serves on the faculty

at Cairn University.

An avid chamber musician, Ms. Ku

collaborated with members of the

P hi l a de l p hi a O r ches t r a in

performances last season. She is also

currently the concertmaster of

Sinfonietta Nova and has played

with the New World Symphony, the

Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra,

and the Princeton Symphony. Ms.

Ku has received numerous prizes

and honors, including First Prize in

the South Orange Symphony Young

Artists Competition, the Temple

University Preparatory Concerto

Competition, and the American

Fine Arts Festival Bach Concerto

Competition. She has also soloed

with many orchestras, including the

National Repertory Orchestra under

the baton of JoAnn Falletta, the

Mansfield Symphony Orchestra,

and the South Orange Symphony.

Ms. Ku holds both Master’s and

Bachelor’s degrees from The

Juilliard School, where she studied

with Catherine Cho and Robert

Mann.

Rachel Ku, viola Violist Rachel Ku joined the viola

section of the Philadelphia

Orchestra as the youngest member

of the Orchestra in September, 2004

at the age of 19. In January, 2005

she performed Hindemith’s “Der

Schwanendreher” as soloist with the

Delaware Symphony Orchestra as

part of the orchestra’s subscription

concert series. She has collaborated

as chamber musician with such

artists as Kim Kashkashian, Steven

Isserlis, Julian Rachlin, Chantal

Juillet, David Kim, Arnold

Steinhardt, and Marcy Rosen. Ms.

Ku graduated with a Master of

Music degree from the New England

Conservatory studying with Kim

Kashkashian and a Bachelor of

Music degree from the Curtis

Institute of Music as a student of

Joseph dePasquale. In addition to

teaching private lessons, she is also

an adjunct faculty member at Cairn

University and Temple University.

Glenn Fischbach, cello

Glenn Fischbach is a graduate of

The Curtis Institute of Music, where

he studied with Orlando Cole and

William Stokking. Following his

graduation, Mr. Fischbach spent six

seasons as principal cellist of the

Savannah Symphony Orchestra.

Currently, he is the acting principal

cellist of the Chamber Orchestra of

Philadelphia and performs regularly

as a substitute musician with The

P h i l a d e l p h i a O r c h e s t r a .

Additionally, Mr. Fischbach is a

member of the Belmonte Piano Trio

with his wife, violinist Jennifer K.

Lee, and pianist Robert Durso and

is on the faculty of Temple

University’s Music Preparatory

Division.

Mr. Fischbach comes from a musical

family. His father Gerald is a retired

member of the violin faculty at The

University of Maryland, College

Park and is the co-author of the well

known “Viva Vibrato!” method

books. His brother Garrett is a

violist with the Metropolitan Opera

Orchestra, and his sister Erica is the

academy principal of the Colorado

Ballet and a former dancer with the

American Ballet Theatre in New

York.

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Sunday

10:00 AM-

2:00 PM

Playhouse

CHAMBER MUSIC MASTER CLASSES

Up to 6 chamber groups will be coached by the guest String Trio. Groups that include

piano may also be coached by Mr. Abramovic in the afternoon.

Application deadline is October 20th. Visit the website for complete details and

application.

https://www.njmta.com/chambermusicmc

Sunday

2:15 PM

Hillman

Hall

CHAMBER ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE

The String Trio and Mr. Abramovic will give a brief performance which will be immediately

followed by the first Young Musicians Competition Winners’ Recital without delay.

Jonathan Chapman Cook

Commissioned Composer Jonathan Chapman Cook (b.1984) is a composer, pianist, organist, and

teacher based in Lexington, Virginia.

Jonathan received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Composition from

Western Michigan University in 2009, where he studied with C. Curtis-Smith

and Richard Adams. He received his Master of Music Degree in Piano Per-

formance from the University of Michigan in 2011. In addition to maintain-

ing a rigorous composing and performance schedule, Jonathan teaches a stu-

dio of 30 piano students, and serves as the organist and music director of St.

Luke's Episcopal Church in Hot Springs, Virginia.

For more information visit http://www.jonathanchapmancook.com/

Saturday

2:30-3:30 PM

Room 15

MEET THE COMPOSER

Join Jonathan Chapman Cook as he shares his insights on performing and composing in

classical and contemporary genres as well as how to include computer music education into

piano lessons. All competition participants and their families are welcome to attend this

session.

Saturday

4:00-6:00 PM

Hillman Hall

COMMISSIONED COMPOSER COMPETITION WINNERS’ RECITAL

Come hear the winners of the competition perform Jonathan Chapman Cook’s music.

This recital is combined with the winners of the MTNA competitions.

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Conference Presenters

Nancy Modell

Nancy Modell pioneered the Suzuki Piano approach in Jerusalem during the

1980’s. Since 1992, Nancy trains Suzuki teachers in college courses, privately,

and in Suzuki Summer Institutes throughout the U.S.A. She studied ways to

employ the Taubman Approach to enhance Suzuki Piano Pedagogy under an

MTNA Teacher Enrichment Grant. Nancy is President of the MEA-NJ.

Sondra Tammam

SONDRA TAMMAM - M.M. The Juilliard School; B.M. Manhattan

School of Music; Adjunct Professor Montclair State University;

Performances, Master Classes in Europe, Asia, Middle East, U.S.;

Concerts at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, :Broadcasts WQXR,

WCBS-TV. Co-DirectorTaubman Festivals 3 CD's (Palexa)

Saturday

10:30 AM-

Noon

Playhouse

Nancy Modell

CREATIVE COMPOSING: EMPOWER CREATIVITY, NURTURE MUSICALITY

Every child can compose! Expand your vision for your students’ self-expression by

learning ways to introduce composition. Composing is an invaluable pedagogical tool

that enhances musicianship. You’ll be inspired to try this at home ~ Take the plunge!

Saturday

3:30-4:20 PM

Room 2

Sondra Tammam

THE CHOREOGRAPHY OF SUBTLE IN AND OUT MOVEMENTS AT THE KEYBOARD

WITH THE TAUBMAN APPROACH

Concepts and ideas to enhance tone and virtuosity with In and Out Movements at the

keyboard. Technical facility and ease in movement will be discussed with “hands on”

examples in scales, arpeggios, and repertoire.

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Marcia Yurko, NCTM

Marcia Yurko, NCTM, maintains an independent studio in Sewell, NJ. She is also

an adjunct piano instructor at Messiah College, Grantham, PA. Ms. Yurko holds

a BS degree in Music Education from Wilkes University, Wilkes Barre, PA. She

has been an active member in South Jersey Music Teachers' Association for over

20 years and is currently the NJ Chair for MTNA Professional Certification.

Conference Presenters

Saturday

4:00-4:50 PM

Room 15

Exhibitor’s Showcase

Royal Conservatory of Music Presents:

THE ROYAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC CERTIFICATE PROGRAM DE-MYSTIFIED

Presenters: Janet Lopinski with Marvin Blickenstaff

Discover how The Royal Conservatory Certificate Program can enhance your students'

musical development, including a demonstration exam with discussion of evaluation

criteria, examination procedures, and tips for student success.

Saturday

4:30-5:20 PM

Room 2

Marcia Yurko, NCTM

INDEPENDENT MUSIC TEACHERS FORUM:

"MTNA CERTIFICATION: BEGINNING THE PROCESS"

During this session the following topics will be discussed: how to develop a teaching

philosophy, understanding the components of the 5 required projects, what are the

certification reviewers looking for and exploring the resources at MTNA.

The Royal Conservatory of Music The Royal Conservatory is one of the largest and most

respected music education institutions in the world,

providing the definitive standard of excellence in

curriculum design, assessment, performance training,

teacher certification and arts-based social programs.

Visit https://www.rcmusic.com/ for more information.

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Alessandra Tiraterra, DMA

Alessandra Tiraterra, DMA, has performed hundreds

of recitals in Europe and US. Her students are

regularly prize winners in piano competitions. She

studied with great pianists and pedagogues,

including Perticaroli, Crudeli, Soriano, Dorensky,

and Abramovic.

Rebecca Pennington

Rebecca Mergen Pennington serves as the Administrative Director for The

New School for Music Study, where she has been on the faculty for 10

years. Dr. Pennington holds a DMA from the University of Kansas, where

she studied with Dr. Jack Winerock.

Sunday

11:00-11:50 AM

Room 2

Rebecca Pennington

SUSIE BROKE HER ARM, AND OTHER MISFORTUNES

Injuries are common when teaching pre-college students. Broken bones and concussions

are bound to happen with the highly active youth we teach. These injuries can be

difficult for the teacher because they happen suddenly and the teacher must quickly

alter their plans. Teachers attending this presentation will leave armed with resources

to navigate all kinds of temporary and sudden injuries, in a way that seamlessly

continues the student’s musical journey.

Sunday

1:00-1:50 PM

Room 2

Alessandra Tiraterra, DMA

TEACHING LUDOVICO EINAUDI: A STUDY OF THE PIANO MUSIC OF THE

CONTEMPORARY COMPOSER WHO ENCHANTS AUDIENCES

Einaudi’s piano music represents challenging pedagogical material for late pre-college

and early undergraduate students; it helps fix the balance between hands and among

fingers, and enhances awareness of the sonic capabilities of the modern piano.

Conference Presenters

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Schedule of Events

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Lobby Registration 8:30 AM

8:30 AM-6:00

PM

Cullen Center

Room 1

Exhibit Hall open

Cullen Center

Hillman Hall

Welcome Message 9:00 AM

Cullen Center

Hillman Hall

MARVIN BLICKENSTAFF:

INTERMEDIATE PIANO

MASTER CLASS

9:15-10:45

AM

Playhouse NANCY MODELL:

“Creative Composing: Empower

Creativity, Nurture Musicality”

10:30 AM -

12:00 PM

Scheide Hall-

Martin Room

(2nd floor)

Lunch and Annual Membership

Meeting

12:00-1:00

PM

Cullen Center

Hillman Hall

CHARLES ABRAMOVIC:

LECTURE RECITAL—Tango!

1:15-3:15 PM

Cullen Center

Room 15

Meet the Composer:

JONATHAN CHAPMAN COOK

2:30-3:30 PM

Cullen Center

Room 2

SONDRA TAMMAM:

“The Choreography of Subtle In

and Out Movements at the

Keyboard with the Taubman

Approach”

3:30-4:20 PM

4:00-4:50 PM Cullen Center

Room 15

JANET LOPINSKI & MARVIN

BLICKENSTAFF:

Exhibitor’s Showcase—Royal

Conservatory of Music “The Royal Conservatory of Music

Certificate Program De-Mystified”

4:00-6:00 PM Cullen Center

Hillman Hall

RECITAL:

Winners of the Composer

Commission Competition and the

MTNA-NJ Competition

4:30-5:20 PM Cullen Center

Room 2

MARCIA YURKO: Independent Music Teachers Forum

"MTNA Certification: Beginning

the Process"

8:30 AM Registration

lobby area outside Room 2

9:00-9:50

AM

Warm-up & Flute Choir

Reading Session

10:00-11:15

AM

Flute Ensemble Coaching

with The Lyra Ensemble

11:30-11:55

AM

Lyra Ensemble Recital

12:00-1:00

PM

Lunch/Visit the Exhibits

1:15-3:15

PM

Region Band Solos Master

Class with The Lyra

Ensemble

3:15-4:00

PM

Visit the Exhibits

4:00-6:00

PM

Recital—CCC & MTNA

Winners (Hillman Hall)

FLUTE DAY

All events take place in

Cullen Center Room 2

Annual Conference Banquet

to follow the day’s activities

7:00 PM at the

Nassau Inn

Ten Palmer Square, Princeton, NJ

Reservations must be made and paid

for in advance—no walk-ins.

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Schedule of Events

Sunday, November 19, 2017

8:30 AM Lobby Registration

8:30AM-4:00

PM

Cullen Center-

Room 1

Exhibit Hall open

9:00 AM Bristol Chapel Welcome Message

9:15-11:15

AM

Bristol Chapel CHARLES ABRAMOVIC

ADVANCED PIANO MASTER

CLASS

11:00-11:50

AM

Cullen Center

Room 2

REBECCA PENNINGTON “Susie Broke Her Arm and Other Mis-

fortunes”

12:00-1:00

PM

Scheide Hall-

Martin Room

(2nd floor)

Lunch/Visit the Exhibits

1:00-1:50 PM Cullen Center

Room 2

ALESSANDRA TIRATERRA “Teaching Ludovico Einaudi: A study

of the Piano Music of the Contemporary

Composer Who Enchants Audience”

2:15-4:45 PM Cullen Center-

Hillman Hall

Chamber Music Performance with

Charles Abramovic & String Trio

will start off The Young Musicians

Competition Winners Recital 1

5:15-7:15 PM Cullen Center-

Hillman Hall

RECITAL:

The Young Musicians Competition

Winners Recital 2

9:30 AM Registration

lobby area outside Play-

house

10:00 AM Group 1

10:30 AM Group 2

11:00 AM Group 3

11:30 AM Group 4

12:00-1:00

PM

Lunch/Visit the Exhibits

1:00 PM Group 5

1:30 PM Group 6

Chamber Music Master Classes

All sessions take place in

The Playhouse

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Annual Conference Banquet

at the

Historic Nassau Inn

Ten Palmer Square, Princeton, NJ 08542 | (609) 921-7500

Saturday, November 18, 2017

7:00-9:30 PM

All conference attendees are welcome to join the conference guest artists, presenters,

exhibitors and sponsors for a delectable meal.

The menu includes:

Hors D 'Oeuvres: Traditional Mini Franks in a Blanket, Crisp Spinach and Artichoke Tarts and Raspberry

Brie Phyllo.

Fresh Garden Green Salad and a Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella and Basil Appetizer with Balsamic Reduction.

Main Course: Orecchietti Pasta with Spinach and Sundried Tomatoes, Flank Steak with a Mushroom Demi

Glace, and Macademia Crusted Mahi-Mahi with Lemon Beurre Blanc. All of these dishes will be served with

Assorted Seasonal Sides and Freshly Baked Rolls.

Dessert: Chef's Selection of Cakes, Tarts and Mini Pastries, which will, of course, include 1 Chocolate Pastry.

*Reservations must be made and paid for in advance when you register for the conference.

Cost: $65 per person, wine and beer included.

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Two Day Attendance:

Members $90

Non-members $120

Students $40

Saturday or Sunday Only:

Members $60

Non-members $90

Students $30

Catered Lunch (per day) $15

Saturday evening banquet $65

Conference Registration Information

All conference registrations must be done using the online form - no paper forms will be

available this year. Visit www.njmta.com and click on the Conference Registration link.

Online registrations for the conference will be accepted until November 15th with PayPal

payment. (If mailing a check it must be postmarked by November 10th and received by

November 15th). After November 15th, you may register at the door with cash or check,

and on-site registration fees will be $10 more per person.

Full day rates are listed below for two-day attendance, Saturday only and Sunday only.

If you wish to attend an individual session, the fee is $45 for members, $20 for students

and $60 for non-members. This may be paid at the door at the time of the event.

Please note: Banquet registrations must be received and paid for by November 6th.

www.njmta.com

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all of the members of the

Conference Planning Committee:

Renae Block, President-Elect and Conference Chair

Ting Ting Lien, President

Hendry Wijaya, Immediate Past President

Deborah Gers, Treasurer

Grace Lue, Membership Chairperson

Jason Gallagher, Vendors & Advertising

Emily Lau, Commissioned Composer Competition

Marianne Lauffer, Venue Coordinator

Betty Stoloff, Banquet and Lunch Coordinator

Ingrid Tang, Chamber Music Master Class Coordinator

Wei-Yuh Christina Xie, New Jersey MTA Competitions Chair

Elvira Kipnis

Chiu-Ling Lin

Lillian Livingston

Our warm gratitude goes to Jacob’s Music Center for generously

sponsoring this conference and for providing a Steinway piano

for the benefit of all of our artists.

Many thanks to Westminster Choir College at Rider University

for hosting the conference.